Lolita Chakrabarti News

Is your family more the historical drama - backstage intrigue type -- or the modern British classic type?

A third audience engagement event has been added to the list of special events surrounding Raven Theatre's production of Red Velvet, which details the story of Ira Aldridge, who in 1833 became the first black actor to play Othello on a London stage.

A third audience engagement event has been added to the list of special events surrounding Raven Theatre's production of Red Velvet, which details the story of Ira Aldridge, who in 1833 became the first black actor to play Othello on a London stage.

Michael Menendian, Producing Artistic Director of Raven Theatre, has announced casting for the company's upcoming production of Red Velvet, by Lolita Chakrabarti.

Three of Chicago's leading theater artists - actor James Vincent Meredith, and director/educators Henry Godinez of Northwestern University and Susan Padveen of Columbia College will appear following performances of the play detailing the story of Ira Aldridge, who in 1833 became the first black actor to play Othello on a London stage. The three each have a unique and personal connection to the play's themes. 

'Red Velvet,' is now onstage at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey through September 25th. This important and brilliant piece of theatre is written by Lolita Chakrabarti, directed by Bonnie Monte and features a stellar cast.

This month, New Jersey Shakespeare Theatre presents RED VELVET.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) is proud to present the New Jersey premiere of British playwright Lolita Chakrabarti's multi-award-winning play, Red Velvet. Performances begin September 7 and continue through September 25 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue (at Lancaster Road) in Madison. Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or going online at shakespearenj.org.

Michael Menendian, Producing Artistic Director of Raven Theatre, has announced casting for the company's upcoming production of Red Velvet, by Lolita Chakrabarti.

From an enigmatic fishing cabin, through the gardens of Versailles, to the most prestigious stage in England, Walking Shadow's twelfth season explodes the ideas of true love, the hidden costs of complacency, and the hazards of social change.

Cook County State's Attorney candidate Kim Foxx, Executive Director of the Cook County Justice Advisory Council Lanetta Haynes Turner, Chicago Sun-Times theatre critic Hedy Weiss, Juvenile Justice Initiative Executive Director Elizabeth Clarke and Mothers Against Wrongful Convictions CEO Veronica Williams will lead a series of post-show discussions following performances of the award-winning Direct from Death Row The Scottsboro Boys in its encore engagement at Raven Theatre this summer. In announcing the lineup today, Raven Theatre Company Producing Artistic Director Michael Menendian said 'we are so honored to welcome these guests who can share with our audiences their expert perspectives on contemporary justice issues, along with Hedy Weiss, who was a champion of the play and its importance when we first produced it last fall. While this play concerns a landmark civil rights case from the 1930s, recent events are leading us all to ask how we can complete the journey to a more just society. Ms. Foxx, Ms. Turner, Ms. Clarke and Ms. Williams, who are all on the front lines of this issue, are certain to provide insights on where we stand and where we have yet to go in order to achieve full justice for all.'

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is proud to announce this year's exciting lineup of play titles for their Lend Us Your Ears Reading Series which offers audiences the opportunity to join Shakespeare Theatre directors, actors, and artistic staff as they explore diverse and compelling plays. The script-in-hand readings by members of The Shakespeare Theatre's esteemed company of actors are followed by a talk-back discussion with the director and cast, a chance for the audience to provide feedback and discuss the play's potential for future production. Readings will take place on July 18th and September 19th at 7:30 PM.

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's ROMEO AND JULIET is now playing at the Garrick Theatre, with press night on May 25 and a cinema broadcast on July 7. Joining Richard Madden and Lily James as the titular lovers is revered actor Derek Jacobi as Mercutio. The production is co-directed by Branagh and Rob Ashford, with the broadcast directed by Benjamin Caron.

The Old Globe today shared its 2016-2017 Season, including world and West Coast premieres, second looks, comic favorites, plays with music, classics-and, of course, Shakespeare and the Mean Old Grinch return again too!

San Francisco Playhouse continues its thirteenth Mainstage season with the West Coast premiere of Lolita Chakrabarti's biographical play Red Velvet, directed by Margo Hall.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's acclaimed touring company for young audiences enters its 20th season in 2016. Since 1997, Shakespeare LIVE! has presented more than 1,700 performances to more than 600,000 students at more than 850 schools and performing arts centers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, traveling as far south as North Carolina and as far north as Maine.

From the first black actor to play Othello on the London stage to an icon of fantasy inspired by a family friend of the author who wouldn't grow up, our 2016/2017 season is peopled by history makers. Some you already know, some you think you know, and a few you've probably never met. A few happened upon notoriety by chance, others fought unbelievable odds to leave their mark on the world, and some committed unspeakable acts to be remembered. Take a seat, and experience everything on offer at Tampa Bay's most award-winning professional theatre.

For its 2016-17 season, the 33-year-old Raven Theatre Company will again bring new plays and playwrights to Chicago audiences along with revivals of classic and lesser-known works by masters of modern drama. Michael Menendian, producing artistic director, today announced a lineup that includes the early Tennessee Williams play Not About Nightingales and Pinter'sBetrayal as well as the Midwest premieres of Richard Greenberg's recent Broadway hit The Assembled Parties and Red Velvet by Lolita Chakrabarti, one of the U.K.'s most acclaimed new playwrights, and the world premiere of Sycamore - a drama of contemporary family life set in the Midwest by New York-based playwright Sarah Sander.

The Junction Theatre will present the West Coast Premiere of RED VELVET, a critically acclaimed play written by Lolita Chakrabarti, directed by Benjamin Pohlmeier, to be presented at Atwater Playhouse, 3191 Castitas Avenue, #100, Los Angeles, CA 90039, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 5:00 p.m., March 26 - April 30, 2016. Tickets can be purchased by calling Brown Paper Tickets 24/7 at 1-800-838-3006, or online at http://redvelvet.brownpapertickets.com. General Admission is $25 per person; Students, Seniors and Veterans are $20 per person; and Groups of 10 or more $15 per person. To learn more, please visit www.thejunctiontheatre.org and http://atwaterplayhouse.com/

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